“K-Knee pillow...?”
When I asked back in disbelief at the sudden request, she nodded slowly.
Are you serious? Wait, a knee pillow? Did she really say she wanted one?
In other words, she wants to lie down using my lap as a pillow? Seriously?
I was stunned by the unexpected proposal. Riran also seemed embarrassed, fidgeting with her hands tucked between her inner thighs.
“W-Well... you see, Akito, you do kickboxing and muscle training, right? So... I was curious about the... hardness, or the thickness... I mean, I wanted to touch them...”
“Don’t talk about them being hard or thick or wanting to touch them. It sounds lewd.”
“Eh? ...~~~~!!??”
Realizing what she had said, she hugged herself and scrambled away from me.
“B-Idiot! W-w-what are you saying all of a sudden!? My family is here! I-In a place like this...!”
“That sounds like you’re saying it’s okay if your family wasn’t here.”
“That’s not it! That’s! Not! It!”
Hey, don’t raise your voice so much. The family will find out.
“...Well, if it’s just a knee pillow, I don’t mind.”
“H-Hmph. You should have just said so from the start...!”
Riran, who had pulled away, sat back down on the bed with a nervous expression.
S-Somehow... when she reacts like this, it makes me feel nervous too.
Thinking about it calmly, giving a beautiful girl a knee pillow in her room, on her bed... I feel like this is a bit bad. Mostly for my mental health.
A-Anyway, I need to make her stay calm...!
“H-Hey. Are we really doing this?”
“Y-Yes. I can’t back down now that I’ve come this far...!”
No, please back down...!
“C-Calm down. Let's be rational. It doesn't have to be today...!”
“N-No! It has to be today!”
“Why?”
“Ah... well...”
Fidgeting, restless, looking around.
She was completely unsettled. What is it, why does it have to be today?
“Calm down, you can take your time. If you don’t want to say it, you don’t have to.”
“I-I’ll say it, I’ll say it! ...I learned that if I don’t say it, it won’t get across.”
...That’s true. Up until now, we’ve been passing each other by because of that.
There are things that won’t get across unless put into words. In fact, most things don't.
If we don't become honest, we'll just go back to the way we were before.
But still—.
“I-It was my dream to have the person I like give me a knee pillow in my own room...”
Aren't you being too honest!?
While there was still embarrassment in her voice, she wasn't the type of person to be so open about herself before!
Also, what was with that tone! It was so cute! Are you trying to make me die of agony?!
“I-I see. Then it can’t be helped.”
“Y-Yes. It can’t be helped.”
She’s totally brazened it out now.
“Ah—... well then, go ahead.”
“E-Excuse me.”
She slowly tilted her body.
With a sense of trepidation, she placed her head on my thigh.
*Pito.*
“~~~~...!”
Wh-What an... impact.
This is bad. Something inside me is being ground down with a loud noise...!
I looked at Riran.
Since she was facing the other way, I couldn't see her face.
But she was trembling slightly, so I could tell she was nervous.
I could feel Riran’s presence through my thigh.
Her well-maintained hair shone brilliantly in the dimly lit room.
Combined with this position... I’m starting to have some improper thoughts.
Bad, this is bad. Anything but that.
Anyway, I have to distract myself...!
“H-How is it? Is it comfortable?”
“...It’s softer than I thought. It’s not hard.”
“Well, I’m not putting any strength into it right now.”
“I see.”
Perhaps it felt strange to her, as Riran rubbed her head against me and poked my leg with her finger.
No, seriously, please stop. Really. My desires are about to say hello.
“This is... more relaxing than I imagined.”
“...Relaxing?”
“Yes. It’s like a pillow made just for me.”
That much?
Maybe this is what they call physical compatibility of the Dark Scarlet thread...
“............”
“...Riran?”
“...Shupii...”
She fell asleep!?
Does anyone normally fall asleep in this situation?
Is it just me? Am I the only one who's nervous!?
Riran was breathing peacefully, and I was left with nothing I could do.
Anyway, I have no choice but to wait until she wakes up—.
*Click.*
...*Click?*
I looked towards the sound.
“Aren’t you two being all lovey-dovey, young man?♪”
“K-Karura-san...!?”
Karura-san, peering through the gap in the door with her face and smartphone, was grinning widely.
“Wai— did you just take a picture...!?”
“Shhh. You’ll wake Rila up.”
“Ah, sorry. ...Wait, that’s not it!”
What is this person doing, coming in and taking pictures without permission!
Karura-san entered the room quietly and knelt in front of Riran.
“Fufu. Such a peaceful sleeping face... I haven't seen her look this happy since she was a child.”
“Is that so?”
“Yeah. Rila had some trouble because she’s half-Japanese. With relationships and stuff. This girl is awkward, you see.”
Karura-san gently stroked Riran's head.
Well, Riran's awkwardness isn't anything new.
It must have been even more pronounced when she was a child than it is now.
“She always kept herself tense, trying to look strong and not show any openings. The fact that this girl can sleep with a face like this is all thanks to you, Akito-kun. Thank you.”
“...I didn't really do anything.”
“That's not true.”
Karura-san stood up and this time stroked my head.
“Take care of Rila, okay?”
“...Yes.”
It’s been a long time since someone stroked my head like this.
I’m the eldest son, so while I might stroke Kotono’s head, nobody strokes mine.
...It feels nice, being stroked.
“...Wait, if you think you can distract me from the photo thing like that, you're dead wrong.”
“Tch. I’m not deleting it. This is going to be a family treasure. Bye now!”
“Ah, wait...!”
She left.
I can’t wake Riran up either... I guess I’ll have to give up.
“Munya... Aki...to...”
“Hmm?”
...Is she sleep-talking?
“...I... love you... suya...”
————.
...Give me a break... she’s way too cute, dammit.